$3.2m federal funding boost for Royal Melbourne Show

Two years in a row the Royal Melbourne Show has been wiped out by Covid. Now the federal government is ensuring the show must go on.

The financial pain of cancelling last year’s Royal Melbourne Show has been softened by a $3.2 million contribution from the federal government to be announced today.

The iconic event has fallen victim to Covid for the last two years with the allocation part of a wider $13.1 million package for other city shows similarly impacted by the pandemic.

“Agricultural shows and field days generate over $1 billion to the Australian economy each year,” Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. Picture: Gary Ramage

“Importantly, these events are a fixture of Australian life that build community spirit and celebrate agriculture in a fun, entertaining and inclusive environment.”

Pre-Covid the show attracted around 450,000 visitors over 11 days and contributed more than $244 million to the Victorian economy.

Show President Matt Coleman last night welcomed the federal funding.

“We are most grateful to the federal government and in particular Minister Littleproud for the funding support,” he said.

“With this funding support from the federal government, we can now confidently plan and look forward to presenting a highly successful 2022 Melbourne Royal Show.”

The 2022 show will be held from September 22 to October 2.